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Three simple ways to make your smartphone smarter

AndroidGuys
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Many of us own a smartphone. As technology has advanced, there’s been an increased need to always stay in touch with loved ones. And while these smartphones can be used for making calls and sending texts, they can do much more.

These days, depending on your personality or career type, your smartphone can be your video player, magnifying glass, internet browser, game console, music player, amongst other things.

Sounds smart enough already, right? But what if you could take things up a notch and make the already smart phones even smarter?

Didn’t think it was possible? Well, think again. Your smartphone can do a lot these days. But with a few extra accessories, it can do even more.

With the constant advancement of technology, new apps spring up faster these days than ever before. While a smarter smartphone may sound a little overboard, a few apps, wearables and gadgets will transform your perception of your smartphone and change everything you thought you knew.

So, whether yours is an android or an iPhone, how exactly can you make your smartphone even smarter?

Use Google Now

Google Now is the name when it comes to an app that does your bidding and anticipating your needs.

Google Now is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Google and includes cards, voice search and commands, is available in the Google app for Android and iOS. Google Now is activated by saying “Okay Google,” and this voice command is used on any device that runs Google.

To get the best out of Google Now (or Google Assistant), you can give it a few hints about your favorite websites, movies and more. These suggestions will help the app do a better job of serving up smart suggestions, and ultimately extend your smartphone functionality.

Tell Google Now where you live versus where you work, and it will give you details on your commute before you even ask.

Use it as a tracker

You’re probably familiar with the maps on your phone. You use them to chart your routes and all. But, what if your phone can keep you safe?

With a tracking app like Family Locator by Life360, you can let loved ones and family members know about your whereabouts as the app uses GPS intelligence to track your movements.

Apart from this, it can also send you some sort of notifications when you arrive at preset locations.

Let it be your doctor

Instead of chasing after the doctor — which isn’t bad — there are some really good apps out there that can help you to check on your physical state when you’re hiking, taking a jog or stretching in the gym.

Some these apps use the technique that medical pulse oximeters use by using your phone’s built-in camera to track color changes on the fingertip that are directly linked to your pulse. A real-time chart will show your every heartbeat.

There you have it: 3 ways to make your smartphone smarter. Give them a try and you’ll soon see for yourself what you’ve missing out on.

The first Android O flagship teaser comes from China

Alexandra Arici
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China might be the land of cheap clones, but over the years these imitations have been getting better and better. Case in point, Elephone – an obscure device maker who has been copying the design of lots of popular Android products including the Galaxy S7 Edge – recently teased its upcoming flagship.

As you can see for yourself, the phone looks remarkably similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 (with a slimmer upper bezel). At least frontally. On the back, one can spot a dual-camera arrangement, something which is not available with the current Samsung flagship.

What’s even more interesting, Elephone revealed that Android 8.0 is going to be onboard of the device, which makes this the first teaser of an Android O flagship to appeared online. Google’s new version of Android is expected to arrive sometime during the end of this summer, which probably translates to August.

Samsung Galaxy S8

We’re also told the Galaxy S8 clone will arrive with the “latest chip” which could mean the Snapdragon 835, but given that Elephone is a low-cost handset maker, we’ll probably see the device ship out with MediaTek’s latest Helio X30.

A super affordable flagship with Snapdragon 835, Android O, and dual-camera setup would certainly be pretty amazing. If a product like that becomes available, would you give the obscure Elephone a chance?

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 mid-ranger with a full metal body and huge 5,300 mAh battery

Alexandra Arici
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Shortly after introducing the Xiaomi Mi 6 flagship, the company returns with a worthy middle-range device – the often leaked Mi Max 2 phablet.

The device arrives with a spacious 6.2-inch display with unknown resolution, although knowing Xiaomi it’s probably a full HD panel. The product features a full metal unibody improved for one-handed use. It packs a Snapdragon 625 processor with 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256GB via microSD card slot).

The phone features the same main camera sensor the Xiaomi Mi 6 and takes advantage of a 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 with phase detection autofocus and enhanced quality for low-light photography. No info is provided about the secondary selfie camera so far.

Probably the biggest selling point of the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is the huge 5,300 mAh battery inside. It has Quick Charge 3.0 and Parallel charging so users can charge up to 68% in 1 hour. We’re told the powerhouse can sustain up to two days of use (or 18 hours of video playback and 9 hours of gaming).

The phone includes a front-facing and a bottom-facing stereo speaker which can switch from mono to stereo once the device moves into landscape.

Like usually the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 goes on sale in China. The 64GB of storage variant will cost approximately $245, while the 128GB model will take you back with around $290. While the phone won’t arrive officially in the US, customers will be able to buy it from third-party websites like GearBest.

T-Mobile will pay for your Pixel if you switch from Verizon

Alexandra Arici
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T-Mobile is waging war on Verizon with an aggressive campaign christened #GetOutoftheRed. Basically Big Red subscribers are invited to switch to T-Mobile’s faster network while being allowed to hold on to their phone (only certain models are included in the promotion).

What’s more, the Magenta carrier is even offering to pay off the balance, regardless of whether you owe $1 or $1,000, if you sing up for the T-Mobile ONE plan and device protection.

Verizon subscribers who own an iPhone 6 or newer or a Google Pixel or Pixel XL are eligible to join the promotion.

In the promotional video released this week, T-Mobile’s CEO John Legere makes a point in highlighting the fact that ever since Verizon introduced unlimited plans, networks speeds have declined by 14%. Comparatively, T-Mobile can now deliver 23% faster speeds than Verizon’s. What’s more, T-Mobile has updated its data cap after which it starts deprioritizing users to 32GB. At Verizon, subscribers can only go as far as 22GB each month.

AT&T and Sprint subscribers haven’t been forgotten either, as they can use Carrier Freedom to switch over to the Magenta carrier. Once again, T-Mobile will help pay off customers’ phones via pre-paid Master Cards. The promotion starts on May 31.

Furthermore, T-Mobile announced ONE customers with at least two lines, can now get two extra lines of service for the price of one via bill credit. The carrier says this translates into $240 savings for a family of four.

Want to use PayPal with Android Pay? Let us show you how

AndroidGuys
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Back in April we reported that a PayPal and Android Pay collaboration was teetering on completion. Just a mere three weeks later we can confirm that the (metaphorical) eagle has landed.

It’s fair to say writing this article has come somewhat as a surprise, neither PayPal or Google (as of yet) have provided any sort of official announcement to say the ability to use Android Pay and PayPal together is actually here.

Pushing all that aside though, if you are in the USA, a little trip to the Play Store update page will show availability is there in all its glory, awaiting you to hit the magic button. Of course, if you are not currently a user of either now will be an opportune time to get stuck in.

So, now we have told you the merger has arrived for public use, let’s get into the nitty gritty of how you get this up and running!

If you want to get everything set up between Android Pay and PayPal, you’ll need to make sure that the two services are linked. In order to do so, you’ll need to follow a few essential steps.

After logging into your PayPal account in the app, tap the Settings gear icon. Once inside, you’ll see a new Android Pay option in the list, this will be highlighted by a new tag so should jump right out at you.

Hit that, then you’ll be taken through the process to get Android Pay and PayPal connected up together. After that, you will get asked to create a pin-code, so get thinking. This code will be used when you’re at “check out” and about to purchase something, and finally, you will be asked to load monies into the account, making sure that your transaction wont bounce meaning you have to reach into your pocket and actually part with some real cash, and let’s be honest, cash is so not cool anymore, right?

Once those steps have been completed, a PayPal option will show up in your Android Pay app. If you are not wanting to use just your PayPal balance, you can add your debit/credit card as your main source of funding. To do this you need to ensure sure the debit option is selected. The “top-up” amount will then just be simply used to keep your PayPal balance in credit. Remember, you wont be limited to purchases under this total, as PayPal will automatically withdraw money from your connected bank account to make up the difference – how cool is that!?

So, apart from the setup process, using PayPal in Android Pay is no different from any other card you use via the Android Pay facility; either set it as the default payment method or as a secondary, which will require opening the Android Pay app and selecting the PayPal card before tapping the NFC terminal at point of purchase.At this time Android Pay is only available to US customers and as always, be sure to let us know how you all get along!

App Highlight: Arena Masters – Legend Begins

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by NEXON Company, Arena Masters: Legend Begins is an established app with over 500,000 installs. Having been updated on May 24, 2017, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs with the latest update introducing new gear and skins. The game is a PvP real-time battle strategy royale.

What it does

You can battle in real-time in a variety of battle modes including zombie virus, king of the hill, and dual arena. You have full control of your battle heroes of which there are 13 to choose from all with their own special abilities.

 

Combining the heroes can be used to create teams to gain strength and be even more powerful. Choosing from a variety of skins adds a touch of customization to your own army.

Why we like it

Arena Masters draws you in and you’ll find you won’t be able to put it down. The graphics are great and I really like that you have control of your heroes rather than have to sit helplessly and watch AI make bad strategic decisions. If you’re into PvP games then be sure to pick this one up.

How to get it

Arena Master: Legend Begins is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

JAM Voice review: This isn’t your ordinary Bluetooth speaker

Donovan Jeska
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At first glance, the JAM Voice Speaker appears to be just another unremarkable Bluetooth speaker. Its rubberized black rim and glossy body are pretty but very understated – it won’t catch many glances when it’s sitting on your end table – it has solid heft and a premium feel.

Powering on, we’re treated to a deep, booming series of notes that right away show off the depth of the speaker’s sound. The speaker automatically launches into WiFi mode (indicated by a twinkling charm, in stark contrast to the startup sound). In a matter of ten seconds, we’re shown the bass and treble capabilities of the device, which is a solid design move on JAM’s part. Can I just say how refreshing it is to have audio cues and voice responses in setting up a device, instead of the arbitrary flashing lights that are so common among Bluetooth devices?

From there, we move to the JAM WiFi app (which, obviously, we’ve already installed, because duh) and connect to our local WiFi network. Once connected, we log in to Amazon (to enable Alexa functionality) – this speaker even works with Amazon’s Two-Factor Authentication, which is excellent.

Now, there are really two distinct modes to this particular product. JAM Voice launches in WiFi mode, but a quick press of the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the device transforms it from an Alexa device to a standard Bluetooth Speaker at the press of a button. The battery life is only four hours, but given the size and power of the speaker, that’s not terribly surprising.

WiFi Mode

In WiFi mode, JAM Voice is really meant to be a semi-permanent emplacement, similar to Amazon’s Echo. It has Alexa, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built-in, and it also supports Spotify via Spotify Connect. One thing it doesn’t support, however (in this mode at least), is Google Play Music – which is a bit of a problem for people like me that are rabid users of the service.

The real shining beacon feature in JAM Voice is the Alexa integration. It’s not as fancy as the Echo – it doesn’t trigger via voice command, only via a single button press, for example – but for a $60 device ($34.99 on Amazon!), it’s quite robust!  The full Alexa suite is at your fingertips with JAM Voice – Music, Books, Lists, Timers/Alarms, Smart Home…it’s quite the bargain. As such, this puts it on a similar level as the Echo Dot, at $50 – which can’t function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.

Rubberized hardware buttons for easy control.

Bluetooth Mode

This mode is a bit more standard – when unplugged and switched into Bluetooth Mode, JAM Voice becomes a typical Bluetooth speaker, with a four-hour battery and audio mirroring as usual. Granted, four hours may not seem like much, but in such a portable package and so much functionality crammed in, it’s well worth it.

 

JAM WiFi

Includes media services.

The companion app to this speaker is well-designed and full of functionality, with a few small flaws. A couple of the features that really stood out to me are the ability to group other JAM speakers together, and an intercom feature. The former feature allows you to use groups of JAM speakers to stream audio together, while the latter allows you to record a message and play it to any number of JAM speakers in a group – handy for talking to people in other rooms or other floors.

There are only a couple minor annoyances – firstly, the app only supports the on-screen navigation buttons – not the navigation bar’s ‘back’ button. More than once I found myself exiting the app instead of returning to the previous page – a minor inconvenience, but a noticeable one.

As mentioned above, the app has TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built in. All you need are logins for each – in the case of TuneIn, not even that – and you’re off and running. Spotify is also supported, though you’ll need to download the app on Google Play first.

Performance

The thing that’s most noticeable for me about this device is how loud and deep the sound quality is coming from such a small package. The bass is nice and solid, and the sound is nice and clear. If controlling the speaker by Bluetooth isn’t your thing, there are standard rubberized Play/Pause, Forward, and Back buttons on the rim of the speaker.

One strange thing I found about the hardware buttons is that when hitting max volume, it plays a small chime that actually cuts out the music streaming for a solid two-to-three second until it comes back. Very odd. The response time between the app and the speaker is great – almost instantaneous – and the app is easy to use to control playback and volume.

JAM Voice is available from Amazon ($35), JAM Audio ($60), or Bestbuy ($35). If you’re looking to break into the Alexa scene – or supplement device you already have – pick one up.

Kickstarter darling Ticwatch 2 is all the watch you need, just $169.99

AndroidGuys
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Suffice to say, smartwatches and Android Wear haven’t taken off quite like many expected. Not for features or functionality, but largely because of price and user needs. In short, a lot of us don’t necessarily need everything that comes with Android Wear. Instead, we’re content with activity trackers and wearables with notifications.

Last summer saw an incredible Kickstarter success story with the Ticwatch 2. This innovative smartwatch uses a sleek design and its unique Ticwear OS to deliver a powerful, but simple smartwatch experience that will genuinely make your life easier. It’s smarter than the average wearable yet it’s considerably cheaper than its Android Wear counterparts.

As our Deal of the Day, the Ticwatch can be yours for only $169.99 ($15% off).

Speak to it to get an Uber, set reminders, make calls, get text notifications, and much more. Plus, it’s geared towards an active lifestyle, letting you track your steps, heart rate, and the distance you’ve traveled right on the watch.

Features

  • Proprietary Ticwear OS is easy to use
  • Intuitive sports app lets you track your fitness goals on the watch
  • Call & text capabilities allow you to stay connected without holding your phone constantly
  • Built-in GPS tracks distance & helps you know where you are at all times
  • Fast wireless recharging lets you get back up & running w/ less hassle

Where to Buy

AndroidGuys readers can purchase the Ticwatch 2 for only $169.99 through the AndroidGuys Deals Store. The 15% savings won’t last forever so you’ll want to figure out whether you want Charcoal (Grey)or Snow (White).

Save even more!

In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

Shop AndroidGuys!

If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.

How about a freebie?

Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!

Paper Wings is high-flying fun!

AndroidGuys
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Overview:

Paper Wings is a fast-paced arcade game about controlling a papercraft bird to collect coins in an endless run until you miss a coin or die to an obstacle. The difficulty ramps up quickly and the game is fun and has a nice conservationist message built in.

Developer: Fil Games

Cost: Free (with ads)

Impressions:

Paper Wings is a very simple concept on paper (pun intended), with only two buttons that turn your bird left and right to slide it about the screen. You need to rock up and down to facilitate speed and maintain altitude since the bird acts like a paper airplane. The difficulty comes mostly from the lack of control you have over your bird, with the only turning coming from looping around as you’re limited to moving in two directions. To further increase the difficulty, there are also hazards like tracking bombs that are fast and can almost be mistaken for coins.

You have the choice between a large number of real life birds from all over the world to play with, and each one has unique characteristics that change up the gameplay, such as magnets to pull coins or increased power-up times. The different birds all have little biographies about them and where they come from. The game also features a donate option to help support the American Bird Conservancy with donations, which is awesome in its own right.

Conclusion:

I really like Paper Wings, from its cute papercraft visuals to its simple yet challenging gameplay. Its one of the few games I will probably keep on my phone, as I usually delete most of the games I review after I am finished with them. It’s the right mix of short burst play, fun, and polish that makes a mobile game worth playing for me. It’s a

Download Paper Wings on the Google Play Store

What’s the difference: HTC U Ultra vs HTC U11

Alexandra Arici
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Last week HTC took the wraps off its second flagship for 2017, the U11. The phone comes only five months after the HTC U Ultra was announced, which has been received with lackluster interest by the Android community.

Will the HTC U11 be able to do better? It might, as it does have some aces up its sleeve. In what follows we’ll compare HTC’s two flagships and highlight the biggest differences between the two, so you can get a better idea of what the products are all about.

Display & Design

5.7-inch with 1440 x 2560 res vs 5.5-inch with 1440 x 2560 res

513ppi vs 534ppi

The HTC U Ultra is one of the few phones out there that comes with an additional ticker display. In the case of the HTC phone, it’s a 2.05-inch on with 160 x 1040 resolution. It lives on top and its purpose is to relay notification and give quick access to most used apps. Its presence explains why the HTC U Ultra is a bit larger than the HTC U11 which features a 5.5-inch panel just like the Pixel XL. Both feature an advanced QHD resolution.

HTC U11 continues the legacy of the HTC U Ultra by boasting the same glossy, premium look. The camera on the back features a circular form, while the one on the HTC U Ultra was square-ish.

Performance

Snapdragon 821 vs Snapdragon 835

4GB of RAM vs 4GB/6GB of RAM

64GB/128GB vs 64GB/128GB of internal storage

HTC could only manage to secure the Snapdragon 821 for its first 2017 flagship, the U Ultra. But fast forward three months later and the HTC U11 comes with a newer, faster and more efficient Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood.

While the HTC U Ultra comes only in 4GB of RAM configuration, the HTC U11 will be offered with 6GB/128GB storage in Asian markets. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB built-in storage variant is reserved for the US and UK markets.

Both handsets feature microSD card slots to enable users who need more storage to expand up to 256GB.

Cameras

Main Camera: 12-megapixel vs 12-megapixel

Secondary Camera: 16-megapixel vs 16-megapixel

In the photography department, the two phones are quite similar. Both take advantage of a main snapper with phase-detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, and dual-LED flash. Although the HTC U Ultra also has laser autofocus and a f/1.8 aperture, as opposed to f/1.7 on the HTC U11.

In the selfie department, the two HTC flagships employ the power of a powerful 16-megapixel camera with auto HDR and fullHD recording.

Special features

The HTC U Ultra’s standout feature is the secondary display, but the HTC U11 comes with something dubbed Edge Sense. Basically, HTC has embedded a bunch of sensors in the phone’s frame and thus introduced a whole new way for users to interact with their phone by virtue of squeezing. For example, users will be able to squeeze their phone to launch a certain app or snap a selfie.

Virtual assistants are everywhere these days and HTC wants to make sure you’re more than covered in this department, so it has equipped the U11 with three virtual assistant options including its own Sense Companion (also present on the HTC U Ultra), the Google Assistant and the Amazon Alexa.

The HTC U11 also benefits from Boom Sound Hi-Fi technology, something which the HTC U Ultra leaves out.

For both phones, the 3.5mm headphone jack is a thing of the past, but the HTC U11 comes with a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter with built-in DAC.

Software

Android 7.0 Nougat vs Android 7.1 Nougat

Being launched five months later, the HTC U11 comes with the newer Android 7.1 Nougat version onboard, while the HTC U Ultra runs Android 7.0 Nougat with the company’s Sense UI out of the box.

Battery

3,000 mAh vs 3,000 mAh

Like in the case of the HTC U Ultra, the HTC U11 features the same 3,000 mAh battery. Given that both phones feature QHD panels and demanding processors, we don’t expect either of them to be a battery champ. Although a 3,000 mAh juice pack should be able to last up to a day with moderate use.

Pricing

$649 vs $749

Customers can pre-order the HTC U11 for $649 a pop. The HTC U Ultra on the other hand is already available for purchase for $749. But with the HTC U11 offering a better processor, the new Edge Sense frame, more virtual assistants and BoomSound technology, we can’t really think why anyone would choose to pay more for the HTC U Ultra. Unless they are super fans of secondary thicker displays.

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